On the Street: Bay Centre award brings $10,000 to United Way

The Bay Centre in downtown Victoria has won the International Council of Shopping Centres’ Foundation Community Support Award as a result of its partnership with United Way Greater Victoria.

The award will provide a $10,000 US grant to United Way Greater Victoria toward its three-year goal of $15 million to fund a network of social services, including a bc211 help line for all Islanders. The bc211 help line is a free, 24-hour, confidential telephone, texting and online referral service connecting individuals to community, social and government services.

“Through our community partnerships program the Bay Centre focuses on providing awareness and focus on mental health,” said Darlene Hollstein, Bay Centre general manager. “When the opportunity was presented to partner with United Way and assist in showcasing the bc211 program that enhances mental health support services it was a win-win for everyone — especially our community.”

The Bay Centre also won a gold Canadian Maple Leaf Award for its national Canada 150 campaign in 2017.

Magnolia among the best hotels

The Magnolia Hotel & Spa has been named No. 6 on the list of Canada’s top hotels, according to Condé Nast Traveler 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards.

“This is an incredible way to round out a landmark year at the Magnolia Hotel & Spa and we are honoured to be recognized by one of North America’s leading travel authorities,” said Bill Lewis, general manager. “Not only did we open our own restaurant, The Courtney Room, in the spring and receive a coveted place in the enRoute Best New Restaurant 2018 contenders list, we are also celebrating the hotel’s 20th anniversary Oct. 15.”

The Oak Bay Beach Hotel was 12th and the Fairmont Empress Hotel was 19th on the list.

Victoria was named the 14th Best Small City, while Vancouver Island ranked as fourth on the list of best North American islands in the same survey.

Film commission presents workshops

The Vancouver Island South Film and Media Commission is presenting free workshops this weekend with a pair of Victoria-raised filmmakers.

Denver Jackson, who made the animated film, The Wishing Jar, and movie make-up effects guru Ryan Nicholson will conduct workshops on film animation and movie make-up effects during the Reel Careers in Film and Media event at UVic. The workshops will be held in the Upper Lounge boardroom in the Student Union Building Oct. 13.

The make-up effects workshop starts at 11:30 a.m. with Nicholson, who worked on Predator, The Chronicles of Riddick, Blade: Trinity and Final Destination among other movies, demonstrating feature-film prosthetic makeup application.

Jackson’s workshop — the Art and Process of Animation — will start at 2:30 p.m. and will go through the various stages of animating a film, from storyboards through its final look.

The Reel Careers event will also feature industry professionals sharing their knowledge at information tables and during panel discussions from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information visit filmvictoria.com

On the move

Kate Lindsay, vice-president for sustainability and environmental partnerships with the Forest Products Association of Canada, has been named to Canadian Forest Magazine’s Top 10 Under 40. Lindsay, who grew up in Duncan, was selected for her commitment to excellence and the leadership role she is playing in supporting healthy forests and vibrant forest communities.